In a fervent and resounding statement, Cardinal Péter Erdö archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and primate of Hungary, has said at the International Eucharistic Congress that the world is in a “burning need” of the witness of a united Christianity.
The term “burning need”, which Cardinal Péter Erdö uses, implies the urgency of attaining such a unity which consequently necessitates speedy measures based on sound grounds that ensure its perpetuity.
Cardinal Péter Erdö asserted that “This unity is the will of Christ Himself, who prayed that His disciples may be one, that the world may believe that the Father has sent Him. Our world today is in burning need of the testimony of a united Christianity.” He also stated that the belief in Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist unites Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believers despite their divisions.
Every year, the week January 18-25 marks with hope and nonstop prayers seeking divine intercession to attain the long-aspired wish, namely Christian unity. It also contains strong devotion, solemn and sincere prayers to the Mother of the Church, Blessed Mary, and to Lord Jesus Christ seeking divine and precipitate intercession to bring about the desired unity which is the hope of billions of Christians worldwide.
The Catholic Church has all the time left no stone unturned in its quest for the attainment of genuine Christian unity. This unity has always been the dream of all Christians, and the urgency of its attainment is not a matter of courtesy, but a duty or rather an exigent need.
The aspired restoration of Christian unity will not only reflect positively on Christians worldwide but rather on the entire world as the brightness of this unity will have a positive impact on Christians who are currently encountering difficulties and hardships on the one hand, and on the prospects for a bright future at the global level which reflects positively on various aspects of life.
The resounding call for Christian unity by Cardinal Péter Erdö will continue to reverberate indefinitely, as once such a grand target has been attained it will definitely restore the beauty to humanity.
"Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one,
we pray to You for the unity of Christians,
according to your will,
according to your means.
May Your Spirit enable us
to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin
and to hope beyond all hope.
Amen".
